He never to-took the diamonds,' Billy answered, sadly, while Judge St.Claire, who had the box of jewels in his hand and was looking very anxious, turned to the angry man clamoring so loudly for a _writ_ and said, sternly: 'Even if Harold took the diamonds--which he did not, I am certain of that--there is some mistake which he will explain; but if he took them, it is too late to arrest him.

A theft commited ten years ago cannot be punished now.' 'May the Lord give you sense,' Peterkin rejoined, with a derisive laugh.
'Don't tell me that a body can't be punished for stealin' diamonds ef 'twas done a hundred years ago,' 'But it is true, nevertheless,' the judge replied.
Turning to another lawyer who was standing near, Peterkin asked: 'Is that so, square?
Is it so writ?
Is that the law ?' 'That is the law,' was the response.
'Wall, I'll be condumbed, if that don't beat all!' Peterkin exclaimed.
'Can't be sent to prison! I swow! There ain't no law or justice for nobody but _me_, and I must be kicked to the wall! I'll give up, and won't try to be nobody, I vurm!' And as he talked he walked away to ruminate upon the injustice of the law which could not touch Harold Hastings, but could throw its broad arms tightly around himself.
Meanwhile the Judge had ordered a carriage and taken Harold with him to his private room in the hotel, where the hardest part for Hal was yet to come.
'Now, my boy,' the judge said, after he had made Harold lie down upon the couch and had locked the door, 'now, tell me all about it.

How came you by the diamond ?' It was such a pitiful, pleading, agonized face which lifted itself from the cushion and looked at Judge St.Claire, as Harold began: 'I cannot tell you now--I must not?
but by and by perhaps I can.

They were handed to me to keep by some one, just for a little while.

I cannot tell you who it was.